







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| The rice section is over there. | |
| Excuse me sir, here are your drinks and the menu. | |
| I don't think she wants to talk or solve anything! | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| Sorry, is it possible to see it this Saturday after 2 o'clock? | |
| How much rice do you need? | |
| What about that table? It looks better. | |
| What line is it on? | |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | |
| We are back, where is Bear? | |
| I really don't know, but I believe it's more than 100 years old. | |
| And secondly, vets are so expensive! | |
| There is a robot in a kid's body, but he doesn't know he's a robot. | |
| 360 degrees should be good. | |
| Then people come and complain to me! | |
| What’s their name? | |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| They are both okay for me. | |
| Anyway, what else do we have left to do now? | |